Obituaries

SHELBY - Karen Ellen Waldrop, born on April 14, 1947, in Cleveland County, NC, peacefully passed away in the same cherished county on January 2, 2026, at the age of 78.

With hearts full of love and gratitude, we announce that Jacqueline "Jackie" Michelle Wilkie Blackburn, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, on January 2, 2026, at Duke University Hospital.

After an exceptional, trailblazing life spanning over a century, Dorothy "Dot" Mulder
Roark, age 101, passed away at home on Christmas Day - December 25, 2025.

Priscilla Jacqueline Pearson, fondly known as Jackie, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025, in Cleveland County, North Carolina.

Kings Mountain NC - Rona Louise Hutchins passed away Tuesday, December 31, 2025 at White Oak Manor in Kings Mountain, NC.

Steven Pruett passed away on Friday December 5, 2025 at age 62.

Lisa Michele Swindall Dover, age 60, of Cherryville, passed away December 30, 2025, at Wendover Hospice House, surrounded by her loving family.

Jean Dyer Boone, age 84, of Forest City, passed away Monday, December 29, 2025 at Wendover Hospice in Shelby.

Marilyn Dixon Hamrick, of Kings Mountain, North Carolina, passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025 at Wendover Hospice House (Via Partners) in Shelby, North Carolina.

Joe Patrick Locklear, 64, passed away Monday, December 29, 2025 at Atrium Health Cleveland Hospital.

LaDonna Brown Dedmond, a beloved daughter, mother, sister, and Mimi, passed away unexpectedly on December 26, 2025, in her hometown of Shelby, North Carolina.

GROVER - Michael Lee Hopper, a spirited and steadfast soul, departed this world on December 24, 2025, at the age of 60.

SHELBY - Maxine Holland Edmondson, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2025, at the age of 79 at her home in Shelby, North Carolina.

Dwight Howell Shuford, 90, of Shelby joined his beloved late wife, Barbara in heaven on Sunday, December 28, 2025.

Steven Leroy Pittillo, age 74, of Shelby, passed away December 30, 2025, at his home.

Casar, North Carolina - Geraldine Scott Deviney, 90, of Casar, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on December 29th, 2025.

Blacksburg -- Joann Ledbetter Peterson, 84, passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025, at The Cherokee Medical Center in Gaffney, SC.

Mrs. Mattie Odessa Briscoe Stroud, 69, of Kingstown, NC, was born March 2, 1956 in Cleveland County, NC, to the late Marion and Bessie Mae Briscoe.

Johnnie Reed "J.B." Caldwell II, 51, of Shelby, NC, passed away on December 27, 2025 at Atrium Health Cleveland.

Shelby Jean Jenkins White, age 88, of Rutherfordton, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025 at the Fair Haven Home in Forest City.

Clyde Robert Hunt, 87, passed away on December 26, 2025 at Magnolia Lane Nursing and Rehab in Morganton, North Carolina.

Bessie Marie Cook Bumgarner, affectionately known as Bessie, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025, at the age of 91 in Hickory, North Carolina.

Bobby Eugene Vernon, 83, of Kings Mountain, NC, passed away on December 23, 2025 at Wendover Hospice House in Shelby, NC.

John "Al" Albert Lookadoo, age 88 of Shelby, NC, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Ina Faye Bailey, age 82, of Ellenboro, passed away Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at Oakland Living Center.